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Low humidity in an airplane cabin quickly draws moisture from your body, leading to uncomfortable conditions like dry skin and nasal passages. Plane air typically carries only a 10 to 20 percent humidity level, unlike room air that ranges from 30 to 65 percent humidity. Beyond the discomfort, dry nasal passages become less effective at preventing germs from entering the body. Moisturizing your nose makes travel more comfortable, while improving your chances of avoiding the germs you come into contact with during travel.

Items you will need

Saline nasal spray

Water-soluble lubricant

Travel humidifier

Step 1

Call your pharmacist or doctor to determine if any of your current medications contribute to nasal dryness. Ask for suggestions to combat dryness while you travel.

Step 2

Drink water in the days leading up to travel to hydrate your body completely. Drink water throughout your flight or car travel to reduce the risk of dryness throughout your body, including your nasal passages.

Step 3

Spritz your nasal passages liberally with saline nasal spray. A saline spray is safe for repeated use, unlike medicated nasal sprays that may cause damage or become addictive. Apply more saline spray when you feel your nose begin to dry.

Step 4

Apply a small amount of a water-soluble lubricant inside your nose to relieve dryness during travel. Applying a small amount of petroleum jelly may also be safe, but repeated use of a fat-based lubricant increases the risk of inhaling the substance into your lungs, causing inflammation.

Step 5

Pack a travel humidifier that has an attachment for bottled water instead of a large water tank. Set up the humidifier in your hotel room to moisturize the air to reduce nasal dryness.

Tip

Practice healthy habits before you travel to avoid the common cold, influenza and similar illnesses that may cause additional nasal dryness.

About the Author

Based in the Midwest, Shelley Frost has been writing parenting and education articles since 2007. Her experience come from teaching, tutoring and managing educational after school programs. Frost worked in insurance and software testing before becoming a writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a reading endorsement.

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